Doctors and nutrition experts say a simple habit — eating two bananas a day — can support gut protection, heart health and steady energy, with research supporting core benefits. Know several health benefits of eating two bananas on a daily basis. (Pixabay) Two bananas a day doesn’t sound like a health strategy. Even so, the advice keeps coming up in clinics and nutrition discussions. Specialists say the fruit contains enough protective compounds and minerals to affect the stomach, the heart and basic energy levels. Studies point to fibers, minerals and protective compounds that act in several parts of the body simultaneously. That mix has led to cardiologists and nutritionists talking about the fruit again – but with a focus on how routine consumption can support core functions. How bananas affect the stomach Some experts point to the natural compounds in bananas that help strengthen the stomach’s protective lining. This lining acts as a barrier against acid and certain bacteria. Dr. Tarang Krishna highlights one in particular: Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium linked to long-term ulcer risk and, in some cases, stomach cancer. Regular banana intake, he says, can reduce its activity and relieve irritation. Bananas also carry flavonoids and antioxidants. These compounds limit oxidative stress, a process that can inflame tissues and make the gut more vulnerable. By lowering this tension, research suggests that the fruit creates a more stable internal environment, especially for people prone to discomfort. Studies also mention the fruit’s ability to increase mucus production. More mucus creates a buffer between the stomach wall and rising acid. It’s a simple mechanism. Still, it minimizes direct contact and can calm symptoms before they develop into something persistent. Gut function, immunity and steady energy Bananas carry prebiotic fibers that feed beneficial gut bacteria. This contributes to smoother digestion and, indirectly, broader immune power. Their natural sugars release energy slowly, which is why the fruit is often recommended before basic activity or as an afternoon lift. Eating bananas helps maintain heart health One medium banana provides about 10% of the daily potassium requirement. Diets with higher potassium levels have been repeatedly linked to lower blood pressure. A 2021 study found reduced cardiovascular risk among individuals consuming more than 3,000 mg per day. How bananas support energy levels in everyday performance The fruit has also been compared to simple sports drinks because of the combination of potassium, magnesium and vitamin B6, all useful for muscle function, as noted in this research. Two bananas aren’t a cure-all, but they provide consistent, documented support for gut, heart, and energy functions.

The government has clarified that the recently introduced Labor Codes will not reduce take-home salaries as PF deductions will continue to follow the ₹15,000 wage ceiling, with additional contributions being optional. In a post on social media platform X, the Ministry of Labor and Employment informed: “The new Labor Codes do not reduce take-home if PF deduction is at the statutory wage ceiling. PF deductions remain based on the wage ceiling of ₹15,000 and contributions above this limit are voluntary, not mandatory.” Since the Labor Codes were announced last month, there have been concerns about a reduction in net salary, as the new rule requires basic pay and related components to make up at least 50% of total wages with the new definition of ‘wage’. This has raised concerns about higher PF contributions and lower take-home pay, according to various reports. According to an earlier Mint report, the change in definition is expected to affect the calculation of various social security contributions, including Provident Fund (PF), Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC), Workmen’s Compensation, and maternity benefits, which may also impact take-home salaries. Read the full report here. However, the EPF wage ceiling is ₹15,000, which means contributions are mandatory only up to this amount. According to the Ministry, there is no change in take-home if deductions are based on this ceiling. Employees and employers can voluntarily contribute beyond this limit, but it is not compulsory. An illustration The ministry further explained with an illustration – An employee earns ₹60,000 per month, with a basic salary and DA totaling ₹20,000 and allowances of ₹40,000. If the EPF contribution of ₹1,800 with 12% contribution is accepted under the ₹15,000 ceiling, the take-home pay remains unchanged under both the new and old labor codes. PF contribution is applicable only up to the statutory wage ceiling of ₹15,000 irrespective of actual basic pay. Take-home pay before the labor codes Employer PF (12%) = ₹1,800 Employee PF (12%) = ₹1,800 Take-home pay = ₹56,400 Take-home pay after the labor codes Employer PF (12%) = ₹1,800 Employee = ₹1.0%) salary = ₹56,400 (unchanged) The new Labor Codes require allowances to be limited to 50% of total wages become If allowances exceed this limit, the excess must be included in wages for statutory calculations. However, PF remains linked to the ceiling of ₹15,000 unless it is voluntarily increased. New labor codes The government released new codes by consolidating 29 laws into four labor codes on 21 November, with the aim of promoting ease of doing business while protecting workers’ rights. These include the Wages Code, Industrial Relations Code, Social Security Code and Occupational Safety Code. Several key provisions have been introduced under the latest Labor Codes, which are likely to affect more than 400 million workers across both the formal and informal sectors.

Music maestro AR Rahman will receive the Lakshminarayana International Award on December 15 during the curtain raiser of the Lakshminarayana Global Music Festival 2025. The Lakshminarayana International Award, presented to distinguished figures in the arts, will this year recognize the Oscar-winning composer and singer for his remarkable contribution to music. According to a press release, the honor will be conferred during a special ceremony to mark the launch of the 35th edition of the Lakshminarayana Global Music Festival. The event will take place at Rasika Ranjani Sabha in Chennai on Monday, December 15, at 2 pm. A two-time Oscar winner, Rahman is widely credited with redefining the soundscape of Indian cinema. Over his career, he has sold more than 150 million records across more than a hundred film albums and soundtracks. His celebrated works include Roja, Bombay, Dil Se, Taal, Lagaan, Slumdog Millionaire and 127 Hours. Trained in Western classical music at Trinity College, he founded the pioneering Panchathan Record Inn in Chennai and made a historic debut with Roja, winning the National Award and later earning six more, the most for any Indian composer. He is also a recipient of the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan. Apart from film, Rahman continues to innovate through projects like his VR film Le Musk and by nurturing new talent with the KM Music Conservatory, the Sonsky Orchestra, the Firdaus Orchestra and his recent ensembles Rooh-e-Noor and Jhalaa. Through the AR Rahman Foundation, he remains committed to education and philanthropy. Featured in Time’s “100 Most Influential People” and named Honorary President of Trinity Laban in 2024, Rahman is at the forefront of world music, seamlessly bridging tradition, technology and culture. In January 2023, Dr. L. Subramaniam & AR Rahman collaborated with three generations and produced a new version of Don’t Leave Me, one of Dr. L. Subramaniam’s soulful compositions, which he composed for his father in 1985. The song is from one of the most acclaimed albums, Conversations. This version was done as a tribute to prof. V. Lakshminarayana for his 111th birth anniversary. (With inputs from news agency ANI)

A Chennai-based techie has gone viral after she revealed that she resigned from her ₹30 lakh-a-year job at Oracle to prioritize travel and a life more in line with her personal aspirations. In a candid Instagram post, Vanathi S described the move as the “biggest decision” she’s ever made, stressing that her choice is deeply personal and not a blanket call for others to leave established careers. Reflecting on her journey, she said she had long followed the conventional road map — earned her degrees, secured a well-paying role in the tech industry, got married, raised a family and built a home. Even as she checked each box, she felt a persistent pull for something else. Weekdays were spent in a demanding 9-to-5 routine, and weekends disappeared into treks and short trips, which she says kept her passion for the outdoors alive. Over time, the gap between her corporate life and her personal fulfillment widened. She wrote that the monotony of the job — repetitive meetings, coding cycles and deadlines — left her feeling trapped and emotionally drained. Despite the security and status associated with her position, she found herself facing burnout. In her post, she explained that the decision to quit came from an honest assessment of what she wanted her life to look like. She stressed that she didn’t quit for an easier lifestyle or social media glamour, but simply because she no longer wanted to stay on a path that didn’t resonate with her sense of purpose. Her caption read, “Biggest decision of my life. Quit my 30 LPA job. This video is not an inspiration for anyone to quit. It’s just my story – something I’ve been pondering for five years. I followed every rule that society set for me, but somewhere along the way I realized my passion wasn’t in the corporate loop I was in otherwise, and I was living off the one that burned out. the bills and one that made me made me feel alive, I finally mustered up the courage to choose the one that felt true to me.” The post struck a chord with many young professionals who relate to the stress of corporate burnout and the desire for a more balanced or passion-driven life. Several users commented in support, praising her courage and reflecting on their own struggles with work, pressure and personal dreams. The conversation her story sparked continues to grow, joining a larger debate about career expectations, wellness, and redefining success in a fast-paced professional world. A user wrote: “Yay!! Welcome to the club, I miss working for corporate but after quitting.. it’s such a best decision of my life.. you’re going to have amazing fun.” Another user wrote: “Yes, the best decision.” The third user wrote: “More power to you! So glad you chose ‘YOU'”.

Jakarta – The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is holding another audience with representatives of Pati Regency residents. The people of Pati demand that their regent, Sudewo, be immediately named as a suspect in the train line construction case at the Directorate General of Railways (DJKA) of the Ministry of Transport (Kemenhub). KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo said the hearing was held today at the KPK’s Red and White Building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta. “Today, the KPK again received an audience from representatives of Pati residents who are members of the United Pati Community Alliance,” Budi told reporters on Friday (12/12/2025). Scroll TO CONTINUE CONTENT During the meeting, the KPK explained the ongoing DJKA process. The Corruption Eradication Commission has indeed sued Sudewo in this case. “Previously we summoned the SDW brother who currently serves as regent of Pati,” he said. “In the case of alleged criminal acts of corruption in the procurement of goods and services, especially related to the construction of the train line, SDW’s capacity was when he was a member of the DPR which is a partner of the Ministry of Transport,” he added. Budi explained that in the DJKA case, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) continues to investigate the involvement of a number of parties. The Corruption Eradication Commission itself has just detained a suspect in this case from the Medan area. Furthermore, Budi also explained that the continuation of the DJKA bribery case is still focused on investigating the involvement of a number of parties. In addition, the Corruption Eradication Committee has just named and detained a suspect of a project in the Medan area. “How are the conditions, what is the flow of orders from above, and of course also the flow of money. We will trace the alleged flow of money from this project to anyone,” he said. Sudewo was last questioned by the KPK on Monday (22/9). Before that, the KPK questioned Sudewo on Wednesday (27/8). At the time, Sudewo answered questions about the alleged fees he received in this case. Sudewo said it was explained 2 years ago. “When it comes to money, it was also asked and it was explained in the exam about two years ago that it was income from the DPR RI, everything was detailed, there was income, income, there were deductions,” he said after the investigation. (ial/fca)

Jakarta – The Indonesian Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) together with the Special Task Force on Upstream Oil and Gas Business Activities (SKK Migas) continues to distribute humanitarian aid. This aid was distributed to communities affected by flood disasters in a number of areas in Aceh, North Sumatra (North Sumatra) and West Sumatra (Sumbar). This assistance is a form of rapid response from the government and the upstream oil and gas industry to ease the burden on the community after floods and landslides. Scroll TO CONTINUE CONTENT The humanitarian aid was officially released by the Deputy Minister (Wamen) of Energy and Mineral Resources, Yuliot Tanjung, together with the head of SKK Migas, Djoko Siswanto, via the air cargo fleet at the Soekarno-Hatta Airport which was prepared to ensure that the aid access routes could reach difficult access routes. Deputy Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Yuliot Tanjung emphasized that this contribution is a concrete manifestation of the presence of the government and the energy sector to help the community in the midst of a disaster. “This assistance is a form of moral responsibility and concern for the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources together with SKK Migas and KKKS (Cooperation Contract Contractors) towards the community. We want to ensure that the state is present to help affected residents, as well as support the acceleration of emergency management and restoration of conditions in the field,” says Yuliot, in a written statement, Friday (12/12/2020). Yuliot added that this support is not only material, but also a symbol of solidarity and long-term commitment of the energy sector to strengthen society’s social resilience. Meanwhile, the head of SKK Migas, Djoko Siswanto, previously said that his party has coordinated the participation of a number of KKKS operating in the North Sumatra region, to jointly provide assistance relevant to current needs at refugee posts and affected points. “We are constantly distributing aid, today we sent 12 tons and 146 kilograms consisting of large tents, generators and jet cleaners. This afternoon it went into the cargo compartment of the plane and flew to the place,” said Djoko. The distribution of aid was carried out after coordination with the regional government, the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), as well as emergency response posts in each affected area. The assistance provided includes logistics for basic needs and supporting facilities for disaster management, including generators, basic food packages and ready-to-eat food, mineral water and sanitation equipment, blankets, family tents, mattresses and baby equipment, health equipment and medicine, cleaning equipment for post-disaster recovery, as well as additional logistical support according to field needs. (acd/ega)

Jakarta – Deputy Minister of Cooperatives, Farida Farichah, today attended the Thematic Forum Agenda for Oversight of Kopdes Merah Putih, based on member and community participation in Bali. In his speech, he emphasized that the presence of the Red and White Village/Subdistrict Cooperative (Kopdes) is not a threat to local business actors, such as small stalls or Village-Owned Enterprises (BUMDs). “On the contrary, this cooperative is expected to become a partner that strengthens and consolidates the town’s economic potential, including local products and local agricultural products,” says Farida in her statement, Friday (12/12/2025). Farida said that cooperative management is carried out democratically by members, in contrast to BUMDes where management is in the hands of the village chief and his apparatus. Scroll TO CONTINUE CONTENT “With cooperatives, the whole community can play an active role in decision-making,” he explained. He also reminded Kopdes/Kel Merah Putih to be exclusive. All town and sub-district residents should have the same right to join and experience the benefits. “The success of the Kopdes Merah Putih program does not only depend on the government, but also requires the active role of all elements of the village and sub-district society,” he stressed. Farida said that to date, about 82,800 legal entity town and sub-district cooperatives have been established and registered in the Cooperative Management Information System (SimkopDes). Of this number, data on physical development such as buildings and warehouses reached 23,000 units. Meanwhile, land data imported has reached about 37,000. “This figure shows the challenge as well as a great opportunity to realize President Prabowo Subianto’s ideals, namely maintaining and realizing food self-sufficiency and building an independent village economy,” said Farida. He also emphasized that the Kopdes Merah Putih program is not only the task of the Ministry of Cooperatives (Kemenkop), but is the responsibility of all elements of society from administrators, supervisors, village governments to the wider community. “The importance of supervision and active community participation in the process of physical development, operationalization and management of cooperatives,” he said. He added that this cooperative is jointly owned by the town and sub-district communities. Every citizen therefore has the right to become a member and participate in overseeing that the cooperative is run professionally, transparently and responsibly. Farida also emphasized that the success of a cooperative is not only measured by the strength of the building or the amount of Residual Business Results (SHU), but also by the active participation of members. “Currently, the average number of village cooperative members is still less than 20 people per cooperative, and we hope this number can continue to increase,” added Farida. He also disclosed that the Ministry of Cooperatives continues to coordinate and provide assistance. “However, the limited number of supervisors at the district and provincial level means that we really hope for community participation to oversee this program,” he said. Farida also hopes that holding a thematic forum in Bali can be an effective forum to convey input and improve oversight. In this way, the Red and White Kopdes can play an optimal role in improving the well-being of villages and sub-district communities in Indonesia. He also hopes that the Red and White Heads can become a strong and independent driving force for the village economy. “We hope that the existing cooperative can become a mentor for the newly born Kopdes Merah Putih and start operational processes,” he said. At the same event, Secretary of the Bali Province Cooperatives and SMEs Service, I Ketut Meniarta, explained the challenges of land availability in dense urban areas. However, his party continues to search for solutions and collaborate with various stakeholders, including the TNI, to support the acceleration of development and operationalization of cooperatives. Apart from that, the central government and the regions are also encouraging the development of business incubators as a key business driver in village cooperatives. “New management must also have an entrepreneurial spirit so that they are not confused in running a cooperative business,” he concluded. For information, thematic forums were held in 10 provinces as pilot projects. This event involves various elements of society, from cooperative assistants, cooperative services, administrators, cooperative supervisors, community organizations, to the general public. (acd/ega)

Jakarta – Banten Governor Andra Soni handed over humanitarian aid directly to West Sumatra (Sumbar) Governor Mahyeldi Ansharullah. Apart from that, Andra also checked public kitchens and held discussions with affected communities. This assistance was received by the Governor of West Sumatra Mahyeldi Ansharullah at the Office of the Governor of West Sumatra Province, Padang City on Friday (12/12/2025). Andra was accompanied by Tinawati Andra Soni. Scroll TO CONTINUE CONTENT The assistance provided was in the form of financial assistance worth IDR 1 billion and logistics to be distributed to areas affected by floods and landslides. “We would like to convey our condolences directly to the governor of West Sumatra for the disaster that our brothers and sisters in West Sumatra, North Sumatra and Aceh have faced,” Andra Soni said. “Today we share tasks, I go to West Sumatra, the deputy governor goes to North Sumatra, the regional secretary goes to Aceh. We want to convey the support of the people of Banten directly to our affected brothers and sisters,” he continued. Andra Soni also prayed that Mahyeldi and his staff will get good health and smooth handling of calamities. Andra believes that regional chiefs in West Sumatra are united in post-disaster management. “We have also experienced disasters like this. I am sure that together with the leadership of the Governor and the unity of the regents and mayors we can overcome it,” he said. After handing over the aid, Governor Andra Soni and his entourage visited the disaster-hit site at Surau Gadang, Nanggalo, Padang City. He also visited the public kitchen set up by Banten volunteers in Balai Gadang Village, Koto Tangah District, Padang City. (aic/fca)

Jakarta – PT Aviasi Wisata Indonesia (Persero) or InJourney won the “Indonesia best companies in creating leaders from within 2025” award. This award was given for InJourney’s consistency in executing leadership development programs to produce leaders from within the company. Based on the jury’s assessment, InJourney achieved an excellent score of 95.15. This assessment covers five aspects, namely company strategy and business performance, people framework and strategy, strategic human capital blueprint, innovation and program implementation, and results. “This award confirms that our investment in people is the foundation of InJourney’s transformation. We build leadership from within so that every talent is capable of becoming a driver of the national tourism ecosystem. The InJourney Future Leader Program (IFLP) is not just a program, but a long-term commitment to create leaders who are transformative, empathetic and sustainability-oriented,” said Herdy HR’s statement in a Digital Statement. Friday (12/12/2025). PAGE TO CONTINUE CONTENT HR development is one of the focal points in the InJourney transformation process. This is because the major challenge for the Indonesian tourism sector is not only about assets, but also human capabilities. To capture the enormous tourism potential, InJourney encourages its leaders to think with an ecosystem-based approach. InJourney also encourages talents to have the ability to lead in complex situations because the company must fulfill its role as an orchestrator of Indonesian tourism. From the integration of the airport, destination, hospitality and retail sectors, everything must become one complete travel experience. For this reason, leaders with transformational capabilities, an ecosystem mindset and international expertise are needed. To make this happen, InJourney designed the InJourney Future Leader Program (IFLP). This program becomes an integrated HR development ecosystem to prepare future leaders who can drive transformation and rethink the tourism ecosystem. Herdy said IFLP was designed because InJourney’s priority was to target global market competition. “That’s why our best talents are required to master global best practices and innovate by offering unique Indonesian hospitality,” added Herdy. The IFLP program is built in phases, from Onboarding New Employee (EEN) to build work culture harmony, InJourney Officer Development Program (IODP) and InJourney Management Development Program (IMDP) to develop new talents. Then, the InJourney Professional Development Program (IPDP) as a professional accelerator, after IFDP, the peak program to prepare top talents for key roles at InJourney. With this approach, InJourney ensures adaptive leadership readiness amidst the complex dynamics of the tourism industry. With this award, InJourney also strengthens its position as a company committed to producing leaders based on values, competencies and ecosystem navigation capabilities. “Since the IFLP program was started, InJourney has achieved several positive results. We believe that Future Leaders do not appear overnight. They must be planned, developed, nurtured and sustainably built. For this reason, this program will continue to be developed because InJourney believes that independent internal leadership is the key to accelerating the development of national tourism that is globally competitive,” added Herdy. For information, “Indonesia best companies in creating leaders from within 2025” is a competition and award event held by SWA Media Group together with NBO Indonesia. This event is intended for companies in Indonesia that have successfully implemented a Leadership Development Program for at least two years, with a company turnover of more than IDR 100 billion in 2024. This year, the event carries the theme “Transforming Organizations, Empowering People: Creating Leaders for Sustainable Success.” The assessment criteria include business strategy, talent development framework, program innovation, execution and final results in the form of internal leadership readiness and contribution to business performance. More than 100 companies participated in the selection of “Indonesia’s best companies to create leaders from within 2025”. Of this number, 20 companies are in the best category. Of the 20 companies, a selection was then carried out until InJourney was finally named the best. (acd/ega)

Aceh Tamiang – Screams of emotion greeted the arrival of President Prabowo Subianto amid the rubble of the Aceh Tamiang flood. The refugees hope that Prabowo’s presence will be a sign that their suffering will no longer go unnoticed by the government. Aceh Tamiang is one of the areas affected by flash floods. On Friday (12/12/2025) morning, Prabowo directly inspected the area affected by flash floods. Despite the difficulties, the refugees were still enthusiastic to see Prabowo’s arrival. From the sunroof of Maung MV3, Prabowo greeted waiting residents. The presidential entourage also slowed down their vehicles as Prabowo wanted to greet and greet the refugees. Scroll TO CONTINUE CONTENT Prabowo, who was riding in the Maung MV3, climbed out of the sunroof to shake hands with residents along the road, and sometimes even kissed and hugged refugee children on top of the car. The refugees at the place did not stop calling Prabowo’s name. Amid the cries, there was hope that Aceh Tamiang would always be taken care of. “Sir, help Aceh, sir,” one of the residents was heard to reply. “Sir, help Aceh Tamiang,” said another resident. “Pay attention to Aceh, sir,” said another resident. Head of Kampung Sukajadi Hamlet, Karang Baru District, Aceh Tamiang, Desi conveyed the aspirations of the residents to the government. He hopes that the government will immediately provide housing assistance. “Here, as the Head of the Hamlet, I want to convey this to the government. If possible, we can get housing assistance as soon as possible. We are here if, for example, it is affected too much by dust from traffic during the day,” said Desi. Desi explained that the refugee tents were right under the newly built Kuala Simpang Bridge, so residents were affected by water flow when it rained because the tents were in a lower position. “Also because we are here at the point where the Kuala Simpang Bridge has just been built. When it rains, we are affected by the water flowing from the top of the bridge. Because our position is downhill,” he explained. “If we ask Mr. Government, Mr. President and Coordination, Mr. Minister of Public Housing, please give us housing assistance as soon as possible, sir. Because this is what we really need at this time,” he continued. However, Desi admitted that the residents were grateful to receive tents for shelter, even though their conditions were not adequate for long-term habitation. “Because even inside the tent, thank God, the tent is probably not fit to live in. Because the day is too hot, because of the dust. I am begging if it is possible, we are once again asking the government to provide us with housing assistance immediately,” he said. Furthermore, Desi said Prabowo’s arrival provided a breath of fresh air and increased residents’ confidence that help would arrive soon. Especially after hearing about plans to provide housing. “Yes, thank God, you came to Tamiang to visit our flood victims and arrived at the tent. You are also there, I heard, because I am quite far, you will replace me soon,” he said. Regarding food and clothing needs, Desi said that the current condition of residents is relatively sufficient thanks to the assistance of various parties. “Thank God until now, yesterday the government provided help. Thank God, foundations too, even donations from several good people who don’t want to be named, sir. He provided assistance. Until now, we are still in a safe stage in terms of food,” he said. “Also decent clothes, thank God we also received mukenas, and cloth prayer mats too, thank God. As for food, thank God we are here so it is possible for the next few weeks,” he added. For health services, Desi said that support from a number of agencies is ongoing at the refugee camps. Refugees who complained of health problems were treated quickly. “Thank God, health also exists, health posts from BPBD. Mr. Polri is also there from the community health center and our local clinics also provide services before BPBD and Mr. Polri from the police give to our health centers,” he explained. Desi hopes that Prabowo can return to Aceh Tamiang not only to see the remains of the disaster, but to ensure that the promise of restoration is actually carried out to completion. “We hope that you will always be healthy, live a long life, arrive at Tamiang in good health, and return to Jakarta safe and sound. And our hope for the future as well, is that we will continue to be cared for by the people below, sir,” he said. (eva/fca)